Fire and power failure detecting device



April 1955 A. E. MERANCY 2,705,791

FIRE POWER FAILURE DETECTING DEVICE Filed June 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1F I6. I.

INVENTOR ARTHUR E. HERA/V07 BY m Q= ATTORNEYS April 1955 A. E. MERANCY2,705,791

FIRE AND POWER FAILURE DETECTING DEVICE 4 ATTORNEYS United States PatentFIRE ANI? PGWER FAILURE DETECTING DEVICE Arthur E. Merancy, Ansonia,Conn, assignor of one-half to Michael V. Ostaszeski, Seymour, Conn.

Application June 30, 1952, Serial No. 296,458

4 Claims. (Cl. 346-220) This invention appertains to improvements inalarms and has for its primary object to provide signalling means and acontrol means therefor which responds to a power failure in a house orplant electrical circuit and to an increase in temperature above acertain limit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a compact, simple andinexpensive alarm unit that can be mounted on awall in a heatoriginating area, such as over a furnace or the like, and which will notonly sense and reactively signal any rise in temperature above a certainlimit but which will also be so connected with the power circuit of abuilding that it will react to a power failure and signal such powerfailure.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a weight actuatedsiren for audibiy signalling a rise in temperature and an electricalpower failure, the siren being constructed and actuated in a manner sothat the pitch of the sound rises responsive to the gravity accelerationof the weight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gravity driven Weightfor rotating the rotor of a siren, the weight being held in a suspendedposition by an electro-tnagnet and/or by a thermostatic unit and, whenreleased, rotating the rotor and, under gravity acceleration, increasingthe velocity of rotation and, therefore, the frequency of the sound sothat the pitch of the sound rises.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a siren that isoperated by a gravity driven weight and to provide an electro-magnet forholding the weight in a suspended position, the magnet being deenergizedby a power failure or by a switch operated by a thermostat and toprovide means for varying the pitch of the siren dependent upon whetherthe electro-magnet alone or actuated by the thermostat releases theweight.

These and ancillary objects and structural features of merit areattained by this invention, the preferred embodiments of which are setforth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in perspective of an alarm unit, constructed inaccordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the unit, with the front Wall ofthe casing being removed and portions of the unit shown exposed and insection;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3 andlooking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a single siren unit,which is controlled by the electro-magnet and by the thermostat.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings andinitially to Figures l4, the alarm 18 includes a pair of identicallyconstructed signalling devices 12 and 14. Both of the signalling devicesare operated by gravity driven actuators, which are controlled, in thesense of being retained in a suspended position, by sepa rate means. Thesignalling device 12 is provided for the purpose of audibly indicating afailure in the power circuit of a building, regardless of the cause. Thesignalling device 12 is of especial value in a home having arefrigerator and freezer units and the like appl es. The signallingdevice 14 is controlled by a thermostat, usually set for 130 F. and isplaced in a danger area, such as over a heating unit or the like toindicate a temperature rise above the set level.

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The signalling devices 12 and 14 are mounted side-byside in a casing 16,which is formed at its upper wall with upstanding apertured ears :3provided so that the casing can be conveniently mounted on a wall orother vertical support. The bottom of the casing is open and weights 20and 22 fit under the casing to form a bottom for the casing.

The signalling devices, for example the signalling device 12 asillustrated in Figures 3 and 4, are of the siren type. The signallingdevice 12 includes a back plate 24, which is formed with laterallyextending mounting posts 26 that are secured by screws 28 to the back 39of the casing. The back plate terminates at its lower end in a pair ofdiverging arms 32 and 34. A cross-shaped front plate 36 is provided andhas its lower ends secured to the arms 32 and 34. The closed upper endof the front plate is secured to the back plate with an arcuate spacingmember 38 interposed therebetween.

A pulley or drum 4 0 is rotatably mounted on an axle 42 that extendstransversely through the center of the front plate 36 and the lower endportion of the back plate 24. Spacers 44 space the sides of the drumfrom the front and back wall. A large driving gear 46 is fixedlycircumposed on the extending end of the axle 42. and rotatably disposedon the back of the back plate 24. A ratchet wheel 48 is mounted on theaxle 42 and engaged by a pawl 50 that is pivoted as at 54 to the gear46. An arcuate spring 52 is fixed at one end to the gear 46 and has itsother end biasing the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchetwheel 43. An upstruck lug 56 from the gear holds the spring on the gear.A key slot or kerf 5% is formed in the end of the axle, which is held bynut 69. A key or screw driver can be used to rotate the axle in adirection opposite to its driving direction for a purpose to bedescribed.

A planetary reduction gearing 52 transmits the drive from the axle 46 tothe siren. The planetary gearing includes a pinion that is rotatablydisposed on a stub axle 62 and fixed to the overlying gear ?4. The gearratio is approximately 5 to l. The gear 74 is enmeshed with a pinion '76that is fixed on a rotor axle 7S and extends through an opening 3%) inthe back plate.

The siren 82 includes a rotor 5% that is mounted on the axle 73, theaxle being journaled in bearings 86 in the back wall and in the cover 83of the siren. The cover 88 is cylindrically shaped and secured by screws99 to the back plate to form a casing 94 for the siren. The periphery 92of the siren casing 94 is formed with a plurality of equi-distantlyspaced ports or sound producing apertures 96. The siren rotor 98 ofhollow cylindrical construction has its hub 16% fixed on the shaft 78.From the hub, blades or vanes 102 radially extend and are relativelyspaced. The blades terminate in valves 104. The valves 104 are slightlycurved to correspond to the curvature of the periphery 92 of the sirencasing and are shaped and of a size equal to the ports 96. The rotor 93has a closed back wall 1% and a front wall 1% which has a centralopening 119. The vanes 1&2 are beveled at their inner ends from thefront wall, at the edge of the opening toward the hub 11%). A pluralityof eyes or apertures 112, which constitute intake ports, are formed inthe front wall of the casing 94 and communicate with the interior of therotor.

A flexible, braided steel cable 114 is wound on the pulley 46 and hasits free end fixed to either the weight 20 or the weight 22. The cablerotates the pulley or drum 40 as the weight is driven by gravity.

To rewind the cable on the drum, an opening 115 is formed in the backplate 30 exposing the end of the axle 42 and afiording access to theslot 5%. 'A key can be inserted through the opening and rotate the axleto rewind the cable.

The weight '22 is controlled by an eiectro-magnet 316 which is energizedby conductors 113 and that are connected to the power circuit of abuilding so that the electro-magnet is in series with the power circuit.The electro-magnet is secured to the horizontal leg 122 of an anglebracket 124 that is fixed to the side of the casing. A bolt 126 securesthe electro-magnet to theunderside of the horizontal section 122 of thebracket and the bolt is formed with an axial bore 128 to slidablyreceive the cable 114. It will be noted that the upper end of the weight22 is fiat and is held by the lower face of the magnet at the lower endof the casing 16. The weight is thus maintained in a suspended andinoperative position, so long as the electro-magnet is energized.

Upon the occurrence of a power failure in the circuit, such asoccasioned by a short circuit or the like causative factor, theelectro-magnet 116 will be deenergized. The

weight 22 will then be freed to gravitate away from the casing and willunwind the cable 114 to' effect rotary movement of the drum 40. Therotary movement of the drum 40 is transferred to the rotor 98 by thereduction gearing 62. Under gravity acceleration of the weight, thevelocity of rotation of the rotor 98 is increased. As the velocity ofrotation of the rotor increases, the internal pressure in the rotorcasing 94 is increased, as the air is sucked in through the eyes 112.The radial blades 102, upon rapid rotation of the rotor, expcll the aircentrifugally therefrom through the ports 96. The rotor blades createwithin the casing a pressure, which is expelled by centrifugal forcethrough the ports 96 and which is cut off by the valves 104 to producethe sound. As the velocity of rotation of the rotor increases, themovement of the valves past the ports 96 will be increased, so that thefrequency of the sound produced through the ports by the valves cuttingoff the internal expelled pressure will increase. Thus, the pitch of thesound will rise responsive to the gravity acceleration of the weight 22.

As seen in Figure 2, the signalling device 14 is constructed identicalto the signalling device 12 but is controlled by a thermostat 130. Thethermostat 130 is of the bellows type and is either loaded to expandaxially when the temperature rises above 130 F. To mount the thermostatin a position to sense a temperature rise and in a position to controlthe operation of the signalling device 14, an open housing 132 isprovided and is formed integral with the side 134 of the casing adjacentthe top wall. The threaded stern 136 of the thermostat is disposedthrough an opening in the top wall 138 of the housing 132 and is held bya nut 140. Thus, the thermostat depends from the top wall 138 of thehousing 132 and is arranged vertically within the housing. A pin 142 isthreaded at its upper end-in a boss 144 formed on the lower end of thethermostat.

A locking dog 146 is pivotally mounted on a pin 148, which extendslaterally from the back plate 24 of the signalling device 14. A pin 150pivotally connects the outer end of the dog to the lower end of the pin142, the dog being vertically swingable through an opening 152 on theside of the casing. The inner end of the dog is adapted to be disposedthrough one of the ports 96 and engage the free edge of one of thevalves 104 to lock the rotor 98 against rotation. A spring 154 is'attached at one end to the side wall 134 and at its other end to themovable pivot 150 to hold the inner end of the dog in locking position,as illustrated in Fig. 2. Since the rotor 98 cannot rotate, the weightis held in a suspended position of potential energy by the lockingaction of the gear- 7 ing 62.

When the temperature rises above 130 F., the thermostat 130 will beginto expand downwardly, against the opposition of the spring 154, and willexpand the spring 154 and move the movable pivot 150 downwardly. Thedownward movement of the pin 142 and pivot 150 will move the outer endof the dog. downwardly about the fixed pivot 148 and pull the inner endof the dog away from the held valve, so that the rotor is free torotate. immediately upon the release of the rotor, the weight 20 willgravitate downwardly and the action will be the same as described withreference to the signalling device.

To guide the cable 114, a bracket 156 is secured to the side 134 of thecasing and the horizontal leg 158 thereof is formed with a bearingrecess or opening 160 through which the cable 114 slides.

The casing 16 will usually be mounted on a wall, slightly below theceiling, and at a point of fire hazard, such as over an oil burner orother heating unit and over other types of equipment, which would causeconsiderable damage if permitted to overheat above 130' F. Of

course, the thermostat can be set for a lesser or greater temperaturelimit or range.

'In Figure 5, means is illustrated for operatively associating both thethermostat 130. and the electro-magnet 116 with a single signalling unitand weight 22'. Thus, both the electro-magnet and the thermostatindividually 4 control the weight 22' and, correspondingly, theactuation of the signalling device through the drive transmitted by thegearing to the rotor 98.

The electro-magnet 116 is energized by the conductors 118' and inidentical fashion to the energization of the electro-magnet 116 inFigure 2. Similarly, the electro-magnet 116 is supported and receivescable 114' in an identical manner and the construction of the pulley 40is identical to the construction of the pulley 40 and the gearing andsiren assembly is identical to that illustrated in Figure 2 andaforedescribed.

The thermostat is mounted in a housing 160, that is formed integral withthe side of the casing 162, within which the single signalling device164 is mounted. The casing has side walls which are formed with openings166 and has a top wall 168 to receive the pin 136. of the thermostat. Anelongated pin 170 is threaded in the boss 144 on the lower end of thethermostat and has its lower end bearing on a button 172 that projectsabove a switch housing 174, within which a normally closed microswitch(not shown) is positioned between the conductors 120', 118' and theleads 176 and 178. The switch housing 174 is seated on the horizontalleg 180 of a bracket 182 which is secured to the lower end of thehousing 168.

Upon a power failure of the circuit, the electro-magnet 116' will bedeenergized and, therefore, as stated with regard to the operation ofthe signalling device 12, the weight 22' will be released and willactuate the siren.

However, when the thermostat is expanded, upon a rise in temperatureabove 130 F., the pin 170 will be moved downwardly and will bear againstthe button 172 to force the button inwardly of the switch housing 174and, therefore, open the normally closed microswitch.

This will interrupt the circuit and shunt the electro-magnet 116 out ofthe circuit and, therefore, deenergize the electro-magnet 116'. When themagnet 116' is deenergized, the weight 22 will be released and the sirenrotor will be rotated.

It has been found that it is advantageous to provide means, whereby aperson hearing the audio factors from the siren can differentiatebetween a power failure and a temperature rise, that is, can tellwhether the siren was set off by the thermostat 130 or by the magnet116. Of course, the magnet 116' directly controls the weight 22' tomaintain it in a suspended position but the magnet 116 can bedeenergized, independent of a power failure or any trouble in the powercircuit by opening the normally closed microswitch. Such action isperformed by the expanding thermostat 130.

As aforestated, the frequency of the sound produced by the rotatingrotor 98 is increased in accordance with the gravity acceleration of theweight 22, so that the pitch of the sound rises,'as the weight 22 dropsdownwardly toward the floor.

Based upon this, I provide a brake 182, which is in the form of a shoethat bears against the periphery of one side of the drum 40. The shoe iscarried by a lever 184 and is offset therefrom. The lever 184 is pivotedas at 186 on the arm 36'. A pin 188 extends laterally from the lower endof the lever and a spring 190 is attached thereto, the other end of thespring being attached to the wall 162 through an opening 192. Thus, thespring 190 biases the shoe 182 into engagement with the periphery of thedrum 40. The shoe 182 is, engaged with the drum, when the electro-magnetis 'deenergized due to a powerfailure and, therefore, the ve locity ofrotation of the drum is slightly decreased or, stated otherwise, thedrum 40' does not reach its maximum rotative speed. Therefore, the rotor98 does not reach its maximum rotative speed and the pitch of the sirendoes not rise as high, as it would, if the drum 40' were not braked andthe drum 40 and the rotor 98 were rotating, without any drag.

When the electro-magnet 116 is deenergized by the operation of thethermostat 130', the brake shoe .182 is pulled away from the drum 40. Toeffect the release of the brake drum, a bell crank 194 is provided andhas a horizontal leg 196 formed with an axial slot 198 to receive a pin200 that extends laterally from the pin 170. The bell crank is pivotedon an car 202 as at 283 and the vertical arm 204 of the crank ispivotally con nected' to alink 206, which is disposed through an"opening 208 in the side 162 of the casing. The link 206 is pivoted asat 210 to the lever 184. Y

Thus, as the pin 170 moves downwardly, under the expanding action of thethermostat 130', the bell crank 194 is moved about the pivot 2G3 and thelink 296 is pulled outwardly to move the lever 184 about its pivot 186.

The pitch of the rotor will, therefore, rise to its highest point, whenthe electro-magnet 116' is deenergized by the action of the thermostat136. Accordingly, due to the difierences in pitch of the sound producedor caused by the rotor, 21 clear difierentiation can be made between thecausative factor, that is, whether there is a power failure or anincrease in temperature.

Of course, it is to be understood that all of the parts of the casing,plates, rotor and other structural elements in the signalling devicesare not formed from non-ferrous metal or any other magnetic material,which would interfere with the operation of the electro-magnet 116.

Furthermore, while the signalling devices 12 and 14 have beenillustrated as including sirens, it is to be understood that one of thesignalling devices could consist of a rotating bell, so that the audiblesignalling means r'or one could be a siren, while for the other arevolving bell or the like could be used. Furthermore, a visualsignalling means could be used in conjunction with the audiblesignalling means and operated by the gravity acceleration of the weightsor 22.

Accordingi while the best known embodiments of this invention have beendescribed herein, it is to be understood that limitations are soughtonly in accordance with the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An alarm responsive to temperature changes and power failure of anelectrical circuit comprising a siren device, gravity driven meansactuating the device, an electro-rnagnet controlling said means andadapted to be wired in series with a circuit, means for deenergizing themagnet, and a temperature responsive means controlling said last namedmeans and means connecting said gravity driven element to the sirendevice and means connected to said last named means to limit the rise inpitch or" the siren and release means for said last named means actuatedby said temperature responsive means.

2. An alarm responsive to a rise in temperature above a predeterminedlimit and to failure of an electrical power circuit, comprising a siren,a gravity driven weight actuating the siren with the pitch of the sirenrising under the gravity acceleration of the weight, an electromagnetadapted to be energized by the power circuit and maintaining the weightin a suspended position, normally closed switch means in said circuitfor deenergizing said magnet independent of failure of said circuit, anda thermostat connected to the switch to open the same upon a rise intemperature above a predetermined degree, means connecting the weight tothe siren and a brake means operatively connected to said thermostat andconnected to said last named means to limit the rise in pitch of thesiren when the magnet is deenergized by a failure in the circuit.

3. An alarm responsive to a rise in temperature above a predeterminedlimit and to failure of an electrical power circuit, comprising a siren,a gravity driven weight actuating the siren with the pitch of the sirenrising under the gravity acceleration of the weight, an electrornagnetadapted to be energized by the power circuit and maintaining the weightin a suspended position, normally closed switch means in said circuitfor deenergizing said magnet independent of failure of said circuit, anda thermostat connected to the switch to open the same upon a rise intemperature above a predetermined degree, means connecting the weight tothe siren and a brake means connected to said last named means to limitthe rise in pitch of the siren when the magnet is deenergized by afailure in the circuitand release means for said brake actuated by thethermostat so that the siren rises to its highest pitch when the magnetis deenergized by opening the switch.

4. An alarm responsive to temperature changes and power failure of anelectrical circuit comprising a siren device, a gravity driven element,an electro-magnet controlling said element and adapted to be wired inseries with a circuit, means for deenergizing the magnet, temperatureresponsive means controlling said last named means, means connectingsaid gravity driven element to the siren device for actuating the sirendevice, and means connected to said last named means and to saidtemperature responsive means to limit the rise in pitch of the sirenwhen the temperature responsive means is inoperative and to be renderedinoperative when the temperature responsive means is actuated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

